Hiroshima

Everyone knows about the history of Hiroshima. Dylan had always wanted to go and see it close up and finally he did on this trip. We were both pretty surprised though – we loved Hiroshima and it was completely different to what we were expecting – it’s a vibrant buzzing city with wide boulevards and the Peace Memorial Park is absolutely stunning. The whole atmosphere around the area, as well as the A-bomb Memorial Dome is quiet, peaceful and reflective, but does not have a heavy atmosphere or feel about it. The rest of the city is quite pretty as well.

After exploring the memorial park we headed towards a place called Okonomiyaki-mura, or Okonomiyaki village, which is a 5 story building in which every restaurant serves one thing only: Okonomiyaki. We had the best Okonomiyaki ever there. We also went to see the Shukkei-en gardens, which are a “landscape in miniature” with valleys, rivers, beaches, rice fields, and the landscapes of Japan represented on a smaller scale in elaborate Japanese garden fashion. Probably the best Japanese gardens we’ve ever been to. Highly recommended, just like Hiroshima.

ShukkeienJess in the ShukkeienShukkeienJess at the ShukkeienShukkeienPeace Memorial Park by the riverA bomb memorial domeJess at the Peace Memorial ParkDylan at the Peace Memorial ParkNekoOkonomimuraOkonomiyaki mastersShukkeienShukkeienShukkeienJess at the ShukkeienDylan at the ShukkeienDylan at the ShukkeienJess at the ShukkeienShukkeien weddingShukkeien beach